Jbitter
Full Member
Posts: 10
Joined: Sun Oct 02, 2016 11:27 am

Diseased trees?

I have what I think are crab apples. They have not grown in 6 yrs I have been here. It blooms every year though. Live in central Ohio. Is it a fungus?
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JONA
Greener Thumb
Posts: 812
Joined: Fri Jul 25, 2014 7:11 am
Location: Sussex. England

First thing Jbitter...they are not diseased. That is lichen on your tree. A plant similar to moss..and a sure sign of clean , moist, air.
Does no harm at all.
If your tree has ceased to grow then there are several reason that could be the cause.
It may be on a dwarfing stock and it's reached it's full height.
Your soil is not that good, too wet, poor nutrition. Etc.
You are not pruning it to encourage new growth.
The leaf and shoots that can be seen on your photos look quite healthy.
As to fruiting.
If your tree is not producing any fruit at all....even tiny ones...then there is a pollination problem.
Malus fruits vary from very small to large plum size according to variety.

Jbitter
Full Member
Posts: 10
Joined: Sun Oct 02, 2016 11:27 am

Thank you John this was helpful. Had an arborist tell me they where diseased and wanted to charge me a lot of money to fix it. I think I'll pass on his offer!

JONA
Greener Thumb
Posts: 812
Joined: Fri Jul 25, 2014 7:11 am
Location: Sussex. England

If you want to remove the lichen, then any winter wash will do the job ....applied dureing the winter months when the trees are dormant.....but..I personally hate winter washes as they kill so many of the insects that are useful to us in the garden.



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